Elnora Elizabeth Hauser

Sunday

Oct 28, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Elnora Elizabeth Hauser died peacefully at the age of 90. Nora was born into a pioneering family of Monroe County and Warren County, N.J.

She was born June 20, 1922, in Warren County, N.J., at her parents' homestead on the banks of the Delaware River, across from the Zion Church above Shawnee-On-Delaware. When her father died, Nora and her family moved to Shawnee when she was 6 years old and remained a resident of Shawnee until her death.

Nora began painting and drawing at the age of 3, and by the age of 8, she was exhibiting and selling her paintings at the local art shows.

A 1943 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, she entered the war efforts as a Navy Airport control operator. Nora and one other service member were the only two female veterans serving in World War II from Monroe County; her name is included on the war memorial at Worthington Hall, Shawnee-On-Delaware.

During the war effort, Nora studied art at Corcoran School of Art. After the war, Nora then studied with leading artists at Columbia University, New York City; Skowhegan School of Art, Maine; and The Brooklyn Museum Art School and Hunter College, New York City. Then, Nora received her master's degree in fine arts from the Institute Allende, Mexico.

Nora also taught art to children with disabilities in the New York City Educational System and designed and hand painted wallpaper murals for a company in New York City.

Returning to her homestead in Shawnee, she founded the first art gallery in Shawnee. Nora's artwork has been exhibited in many important museums and galleries and her paintings are in many prominent collections in the United States and Mexico. Nora is the subject of a biographical documentary video titled, "Elnora Hauser: From Her Heart, to Her Mind, to Her Eighty-five Years of Art." She also is the author of the "Pahaquarry Albu: Photos and Stories of a Delaware River Farm Family, 1862-1982."

Nora is survived by several dear cousins living near and far, and many close friends from the region and the YMCA, art lovers and people whom she touched and loved from across this country, Mexico and Canada. Nora was one of the most talented, creative and versatile women artists that Northeastern Pennsylvania ever produced.

Special thanks for all that cared for her in her hour of need, especially to Christ Hamilton Church, Compassionate Care Hospice, BrightStar and Life-Force Care, and all her dear friends, old and new, that remained faithful and comforted her to the end.

There will be a memorial gathering for Elnora at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Shawnee Playhouse/Worthington Hall, Shawnee-On-Delaware.

Thomas Funeral Home

401 N. Fifth St., Stroudsburg

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